President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred the third Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) distinguished Indologist Award on Professor Hiroshi Marui of Japan at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Addressing the gathering, Kovind said Indian culture and its many attributes have evolved over centuries.
He said the depth of time has given it a unique strength and character and it is integral, holistic, synthetic and accommodating.
That is why it could survive the onslaughts of time and transcend the limits of space, he said.
"Indianness is characterised by inclusive pluralism; it is rooted in the principle of 'Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah' that is -- dharma or the virtuous order, which when protected, protects all without exclusion," he said.
Kovind said it was a matter of great satisfaction that the third distinguished Indology Award has been conferred on a scholar from Japan, a country with which India has had cross- flow of ideas, art, literature and religious philosophy for ages.
"These have led to deep spiritual affinity and cultural understanding between the two peoples," he said.
He said with Okakura Tenshin and his association with Swami Vivekananda and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, a new chapter unfolded in the Indo-Japanese understanding.
"Professor Hiroshi Marui has spent over 40 years working on Indian philosophy and Buddhist Studies. His many acclaimed publications and research papers are considered final authority on several subjects the world over," he said.
Kovind said as the President of Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies, Marui has made significant contribution to propagate Indology amongst the youth in Japan.
"I congratulate him for receiving this prestigious award and warmly thank him for his exemplary contribution to Indology," he said.
Kovind said Indologists over generations have helped in a deeper understanding of India's history and civilisation.
"We are truly grateful to Professor Hiroshi Marui for his contribution to Indology," he said.
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